"Here we go," Xue Xinyu thought to himself, steeling his nerves as he prepared to step into the grandeur that awaited. "Time to fake it till I make it. Or till I trip over my own feet and become the laughingstock of the sect. Whichever comes first." He took a deep breath, mentally rehearsing the phrases and polite nods he'd been perfecting in front of his mirror for the past week. The butterflies in his stomach, however, were less than cooperative, staging a full-blown riot.

Standing outside the room was Feng Mingzhu, adorned in elegant robes that seemed to shimmer with every step he took. His attire was even more elaborate than usual, each layer a tapestry of intricate embroidery and fine silks. In this world, elegance was a standard; however, special occasions like these seemed to elevate the sartorial game to a whole new level. The flowing sleeves and delicate patterns on his robes made him look like a majestic crane gliding through the air.

Upon entering the grand hall, Xue Xinyu's eyes widened at the sight before him. The space was vast, with high ceilings adorned with intricate carvings and lanterns that cast a warm, inviting glow. Multiple small sitting tables, each an island of opulence, were adorned with an array of snacks that looked too beautiful to eat. Delicate pastries, exotic fruits, and an assortment of teas and delicacies beckoned to the guests like sirens of the culinary world. It was the kind of spread that could make a monk question his vows.

Feng Mingzhu and Xue Xinyu found a table and sat next to each other. Xue Xinyu tried to relax, but his eyes kept darting around the room, cataloguing the presence of the other peak masters and high-ranking officials. His nerves prickled as he noticed Li Tao was conspicuously absent, replaced by a stern-looking representative from his peak. This year, Hongyan Peak would be hosting the Wayfarer Trial, a prestigious event where the sect's disciples showcased their skills.

Stepping to the front of the hall were Sect Master Zhuang Tianming and the peak leader of Fenghuang Peak. The room quieted, all eyes turning to the sect master.

"Thank you, everyone, for gathering here today to assist in the planning of the Wayfarer Trial," Zhuang Tianming began, his gesture welcoming. His presence commanded attention, his voice resonating with authority. "Not everyone here has as much to do as some of the peak masters, but your presence is nonetheless appreciated."

"We've recently encountered some small malfunctions with the Wayfarer Trial's barrier," Zhuang Tianming continued, his gaze resting on Xue Xinyu like a hawk eyeing its prey. "Xue-shidi, who erected the barrier, we must ask you to take a look at it later."

Xue Xinyu bowed slightly, his face flushing with a mix of pride and anxiety. "Of course," he responded, hoping his voice didn't betray his nerves. The thought of inspecting the barrier filled him with a mix of dread and determination.

What if the problem was bigger than he anticipated? What if he couldn't fix it? What if the barrier malfunctioned and accidentally released a horde of zombie squirrels? He quickly dismissed those thoughts, focusing on the task ahead.

"Now that we've settled that, we have already sent out teams to ensure there are no high-level undead creatures and to address any remaining malfunctions," Zhuang Tianming went on. "Fuguang Peak will handle all the screens so we can monitor the disciples without any issues."

"Adding to that, we will ensure that there's an abundance of food available, with each peak contributing to the feast," Zhuang Tianming announced. The mention of food elicited a few appreciative murmurs from the crowd. "And of course, there will be trophies for the winners. We've already ironed out the details, so each peak will just need to provide some additional touches. Furthermore, we'll have the traditional post-trial celebration, hosted by Qi Yun Peak."

The mention of the post-trial celebration caused a ripple of excitement through the room. Xue Xinyu could already imagine the grand event: laughter, music, and an abundance of food. But the thought of hosting it also brought a wave of apprehension.

As Zhuang Tianming concluded his remarks, Xue Xinyu couldn't help but wonder if this was the same extravagant celebration he had glimpsed in Li Tao's memories. After all, it seemed to align with the epic afterparty mentioned in those fleeting recollections.

"Is that agreeable to everyone attending?" the peak leader of Fenghuang Peak inquired, breaking Xue Xinyu's train of thought.

A chorus of agreements followed, signalling the end of the formal meeting. Everyone relaxed, delving into the delectable snacks and lively conversations that filled the air. Xue Xinyu let out a silent sigh of relief; the meeting had been shorter than he anticipated, and the atmosphere was surprisingly pleasant.

However, just as he was starting to unwind, Zhuang Tianming approached him with a serious expression. "Please follow me," he requested in a low, authoritative voice. Xue Xinyu nodded and rose from his seat, following Zhuang Tianming through a series of winding corridors that led them deeper underground.

As Zhuang Tianming concluded his remarks, Xue Xinyu couldn't help but wonder if this elaborate celebration was the same extravagant affair he had glimpsed in Li Tao's memories. After all, the detailed descriptions of the afterparty seemed eerily similar.

"Is that agreeable to everyone attending?" the peak leader of Fenghuang Peak asked, breaking Xue Xinyu out of his thoughts.

A chorus of agreements followed, signalling the end of the formal part of the meeting. Relief washed over Xue Xinyu; the meeting had been shorter than he anticipated, and he was eager to dive into the snacks and enjoy some lighthearted conversation.

As everyone began indulging in the delicacies and engaging in animated chatter, Xue Xinyu found himself amidst a lively atmosphere. However, his moment of respite was short-lived when Zhuang Tianming approached him with a serious expression.

"Please follow me," Zhuang Tianming requested, his voice low and authoritative. Xue Xinyu nodded, exchanging puzzled glances with Feng Mingzhu before rising from his seat and trailing behind the sect master. They navigated through a series of winding corridors that gradually led them underground.

Xue Xinyu couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at the sight before him; the situation was about as clear as mud. The dimly lit corridors gave off an eerie vibe, reminiscent of scenes from a B-grade mystical thriller. The faint glow emanating from the walls added to the mysterious ambiance, making it feel like they were on the brink of uncovering ancient secrets or encountering mythical creatures.

Entering a cavernous room, Xue Xinyu felt like he had stepped into the heart of a forgotten legend. The room stretched out before him, its walls adorned with inscriptions, symbols, and arcane sigils that seemed to pulse with ancient power. The air was thick with the scent of magic, swirling around them like a tangible force.

At the centre of the cavern stood a colossal crystal, shimmering with an otherworldly glow that cast dancing shadows across the rocky walls. Smaller crystals surrounded it, their collective energy creating a mesmerising display of light and shadow. They seemed to hum with an invisible power, their presence both daunting and enchanting.

"And here we are," Zhuang Tianming announced dramatically, his voice echoing in the vast chamber. He gestured towards the central crystal, which flickered like a disco ball gone rogue, its erratic light adding to the surreal atmosphere.

It looked more like a prop from a cheesy wizard movie than a sophisticated magical apparatus. Xue Xinyu half-expected a talking dragon to emerge from the shadows and demand riddles.

Pushing aside his whimsical thoughts, Xue Xinyu focused on the task at hand. If he could successfully repair this ludicrous crystal, maybe he'd earn himself a cameo in the next magical blockbuster. Who knew, perhaps Hollywood would come knocking for his enchanting expertise.

Zhuang Tianming eyed the flickering crystal with concern. "Do you think you can fix it?" he asked, his voice tinged with genuine worry.

Xue Xinyu nodded confidently, suppressing a grin at the absurdity of the situation. "Of course," he replied, injecting as much reassurance into his voice as possible. After all, how hard could it be to tame a rogue disco crystal in need of a magic makeover?

Xue Xinyu stepped closer to the crystal, his brow furrowing as he scrutinised its pulsating surface. "The problem seems to lie within the crystal itself. Do we have any replacements?" he inquired, his hand hovering near the shimmering stone.

Zhuang Tianming let out an exasperated sigh, his frustration evident in his voice. "Since you created this barrier for the Wayfarer Trial, you brought this crystal here. But you've never disclosed its origin. Can't you remember where it came from?"

Xue Xinyu feigned a contemplative expression, buying himself some time to think. "I seem to have forgotten that detail," he replied vaguely, pondering how best to stabilise the barrier without revealing his uncertainty.

With a hesitant breath, he gently placed his palm on the crystal's surface. Instantly, the erratic blinking ceased, and the crystal began to emit a steady, calming glow. Xue Xinyu could feel his demonic qi being drawn into the stone—how had Huai Xiaozhun managed to create a barrier using a crystal that fed on demonic qi without realising it?

Pressing his hand firmly against the crystal, Xue Xinyu channelled more of his demonic qi into it until the entire room was bathed in its bright, steady light.

"Thank you for your work, Xue-shidi," Zhuang Tianming said with a soft smile, his usual stern demeanour softening momentarily.

"Oh, it's no big deal," Xue Xinyu replied casually, though his mind raced with unanswered questions. He needed to uncover the truth behind this mysterious crystal, but for now, he decided to let it go and hoped no further complications would arise.